Electric-switch-operating mechanism



Oct. 1, 1929. J, D, woQD 1,729,756

ELECTRIC SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

Filed June 4, 192s z sheets-sheet 1 Oct. l, 1929. J, D, woon 1,729,756

ELECTRIC SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM Filed June 4, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 1, 192g UNITED STATES.

it OFFICE.

JOSEPH D. WOOD, OF WOLIASTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO OONDI'I ELECTRI- CAL MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, F SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC-SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM- Application led June 4, 1926.

This invention relates to manually controlled operating mechanisms for electric switches and has particular reference to Y switches adapted for use in motor starting systems in which both a starting and running switch are employed.

An object of the invention is to provide an electric switch with an improved manually controlled operating mechanism for closing the switch and locking it in closed position, and manual meansfor opening the switch by the handle whereby the opening speed of the switch members will not be limited by the opening speed of the handle.

In motor starting systems employing a starting switch and a running switch the 0perator usually is required to hold the starting switch in switch-closed position against the spring pressure of the contact members whilethe motor is coming up to a suitable speed at which the running switch may be closed. Vhile relatively easy to move the operating lever to closed position against the brush pressure, it is much more diliicult to maintain the necessary pressure against the lever to hold the switch closed. As a result, the movable contact members are frequently not held eifectively against their cooperating contacts and arcing occurs, resulting in the eventual destruction of the contact members.

A further ob]- ect of the invention is the pro- Vision of a running switch for an electric motor which is biased for switch opening movement and is so arranged that an operative can hold the switch closed against its bias with relatively slight exertion.

A yet further obj ectv of the invention is the provision of the switch operating mechanism which can be locked releasably in the switch closed position or can be readily altered to compel an operative to restrain it in switch closed position.

A further object of the invention is generally to improve the construction and operation of electric switches and operating mechanism therefor.

Certain features of this invention are shown in a co-pending application of Chester D. Ainsworth Serial No. 606,673,1iled Decem- Serial N o. 113,790.

ber 13, 1922,and assigned tothe assignee of this application.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a face plate carrying the switch operating mechanism embodying this invention and associated with an oil switch.

. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken through the center of the operating handle showing` a modication of the mechanism adapting it for use with a starting switch for an electric motor.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the switch operating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a view of the mechanism of Fig. 2 and illustrating the position of the parts just after the starting switch has been tripped open.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the switch operating mechanism of Fig. 1 showing the disposition of the parts in the switch closed position thereof.

As here shown, the switch operating mechanism embodying the invention includes a face plate 10 which is adapted to be mounted upon some suitable vertical support 11 by means of bolts, or otherwise. A bracket 14 of an oil switch to be controlled by the operating mechanism may be secured by any suitable means to the opposite face of said support and may include the relatively extensive horizontal ledge 16 which may support an oil receptacle 18 and the switch terminals 19. Said bracket 14 may also be provided with a pair of spaced, integral web members 20 between which the actuating mechanism of the switch is arranged to be supported.

Said actuating'` mechanism includes a switch operating rod comprising a pair of links 25 secured in spaced relation at one end by a block 26. A screw-threaded bolt 28 having the U-shaped head 30 is adapted to project through a hole in said block, and nuts 32 on the threadedportion of said bolt provide means for adjusting the effective length of said operating rod. Said operating rod has a link 34 pivotally connected at one end which with a second link 36 cooperates to form a toggle with va common pivotal point at 37. Said link 36 is secured pivotally to said web members 20 by the pin 3S journalled therein; 100

and a switch arm 40 is similarly pivoted at 4l to said web members 20. Said switch arm 40 is also pivoted at 42 to said toggle link 34, and at 43a to the movable switch members 43 of the oil switch 18 tobe controlled.

The lower portion of said face plate l() is formed to provide an enclosure or coil box 45 and the front wall of said coil boi; may be formen or provided with the spaced projections 44. An actuating device as an operating handle is provided by which the switch may be o iened and closed manually and said handle may include the bars 46 secured in spaced relation betweeen said projections 44 and pivotally mounted on a pin 47 extending through said projections. Said bars are formed with offset portions 48 to provide increased spacing atthe lower end of the handle. A. breakable connection is provided between the switch operating links 25 and 'the operating handle, which connection includes two spaced triangular plates 5l disposed between said bars 46 and pivotally supported, at one corner, by a pin 53 carried by thc operatinghandle. Rollers 54 on said pin may provide suitable spacing between said plates and the bars 46 of said operating handle to allow the spaced links 25 of the operating rod to pass through the handle. The switch operating links are pivotally connected to said plates, at another corner thereof, by a pin and provide the second member of the switch operating toggle 57. A pin 56 at the third corner of said plates 5l serves to connect said plates 51 at that point and provides a support for the latch roller 52 which is rotatable on said pin 56.

Means are or may be provided by which said triangular plates and consequently the switch operating1 mechanism may be connected releasably with the handle. Said means includes the similar side plates 60 which may be secured to and between said bars 46 of the handle to form the inverted bracket 62. A tripping latch 64, disposed between said plates 60, is pivoted on a pin carried by said bracket 62 and is adapted to engage releasablj,r the cam roller 52 on said triangular' or toggle plates 5l whereby said handle may be locked releasably tosaid switch mechanism. Said plates and said operating links 25 connected therewith are adapted to be moved outwardly between the bars 46 of said handle by the weight of the switch. mechanism or the spring action of the Contact members of the switch to switch open position.

The operating` han dle is provided with locking means to hold it releasably in switchclosed position and said means includes a latch 66 which is disposed in the space between the side-plates 60 of said bracket 62; and said latch is pivoted on a pin 67 carried by said side plates and the bars 46 of the handle. Said latch is adapted to engage a hrearse projection as the cam roller 68, and said cam roller is or may be disposed between the arms 70 of a frame which is secured to and extended outwardly from a projection 7l on the face plate l0., Said handle locking latch 66 is provided with a hook 72 and a spring 73 in ay be provided to constantly urge the latch to latching position,

Said operating` handle is provided with a handle lever 75 disposed between the spaced bars 46 of said operating handle at its upper end, and pivoted on a pin 76 which extends thro-ugh said bars 46; and said handle lever is extended above the bars 46 of said operating handle and is terminated in the handle grip 76. Said handle lever may be restricted in its pivotal motion by a pin 79 which extends between said bars 46 of said operating handle and through an enlarged hole in said handle lever 75 and may be constantly urged in a clockwise direction by said spring 7 3 which may be attached to a screweye 7 4 screw-threaded into said handle lever. Said handle lever is also provided with a rounded lower end-portion to provide the cam surface 77 which is adapted to cooperate with the cam surfaces 7 8a and 80 on said handle locking latch as hereinafter described.

Said handle locking latch is formed with a downwardly extended integral arm 81 which is adapted to engage the inclined face of a cam surface 82 on the tripping latch 64 whereby the rotation of said handle locking latch in a clockwise direction will cause the tripping latch 64 to be released from holding engagement with said cam roller 52 and trip the switch.

l/Vhen the operating mechanism is in switch closed position as shown in Fig. 5, the spring 73 is adapted to bias the handle locking` latch 66 for latching engagement with the cam roller 66, and also to hold said handle lever in its extreme clockwise position whereby the cam surface 77 is entirely `free of the cam surface 8O on said latch 66. lith the handle locking latch in this position, the projection 8l is adapted to lie on the low section of the cam surface 82 whereby the tripping latch may remain in engagement with the cam roller 52 on the tripping latch 64 and hold the switch in closed position.

`When the switch is closed, the posit-ion of the links 25 of th switch operating rod and the toggle plates 51 is such that the pivot points 53 and 55 are very nearly in line so that only a slight pressure is exerted against the tripping latch 64, whereby it may be easily tripped. To trip the switch, the handle grip is adapted to be moved outwardly from the face plate 10 in a counter-clockwise direction whereby it will pivotabout the pin 76 and bring the cam surface 77 thereof into engagement with the cam surface 8O onsaid handle locking latch 66 and cause said latch and its arm 8l to rotate in a clockwise direct-ion about the pivot point 67. A very slight movement of said arm 8l is sufficient to depress the tripping latch 64 from holding engagement with the cam roller 52 of the switch toggle, whereby to etfect'the opening of the switch. A further-movement of said handle grip may further rotate said handle-locking latch 66 and release said operating handle from its engagement with the roller 68, whereby said handle may be moved to switch open position. When said handle is in the eXtreme open position, the cam roller 52 on said operating member 50 is once more brought into engagement with said tripping latch 64 to connect said handle with the switch operating mechanism, whereby said switch may again be closed by the handle. In the closing movement of the operating handle, said handle lever will be rotated in a clockwise direction about its pivot 76 so that its lower cam surface 7 7 will be brought into engagement withr the cam 78a on said handle locking latch and said latch will be forced into a position for latching engagement with the cam roller 68 to latch the handle releasably in switch-closed position.

The switch operating mechanism embodying this invention is not limited to use in connection with normally closed switches but is equally well adapted for operation of normally open switches, such as the starting switch of an electric motor which is adapted to be held closed only while the motor is coming up to a suitable speed at which it may be safely thrown upon the line. Figs. 2 and 4 show the invention as applied to such a starting switch in which case the operating mechanism is further provided with suitable spring members 90 which are secured to the top of the projection 7l by means of screws 92. Said spring members are disposed between the arms 7 0 in position to bear upon the point oi the abutment 83 of the handle locking latch to constantly urge said latch to unlatched position. Said spring members are adapted to be somewhat stronger-in effectV than the tension spring 7 3 so that a slight pressure is required against the handle lever to maintain the handle in latched position; and it will be impossible to leave the switch in closed position. By this provision the operator is not required to hold the operating handle against the weight of the switch mechanisms, or the spring-pressure of the contact members, but, after once bringing the handle to switch-closed position, need exert only sufficient pressure against the handle lever to oppose the relatively weak springs 90 bearing against the latch 66; so that the proper pressure is easily maintained between the cooperating contacts andthe contacts will not be damaged by arcing.

The switch operating mechanism herein described may be provided with automatic tripping devices, such as overload or low voltage coils, in a more or less usual manner, or may be otherwise modiied without i departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim: l

l. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch-operating member, anactuating member therefor, a breakable connection between said members comprising a toggle and a latch operable on the toggle to hold it set, means to lock said actuating member releasably in switchclosed position, and means carried by said actuating member arranged to engage the latch on said toggle and release it from holding engagement therewith, whereby to break said brealable connection and release said locking means in succession.

2.. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination ot a switch-operating member, an operating handle therefor, a switch lat-ch pivotally carried by said handle and releasably connecting said switch-operating member and handle, a pivotally-supported handle-lockinglatch disposed in position to engage and operate said switch latch to release said switch-operating member, and means carriedby said handle arranged to engage said handle-loclring latch only whereby to trip said latches.

Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch-operating member, an operating handle therefor,

a switch latch pivotally carried by said handle and releasably connecting said switchoperating member and handle, a pivotallysupported handle-lockinglatch having provision tor operating said switch latch, and means carried by said handle arranged to engage said handle-locking latch only and elect the trippingot1 said switch and handle-locking latches in succession in the order named.

4. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch-operating member, an operating handle therefor, switch latch releasably connecting said switch operating member and handle,and a handlelocliing latch arranged when operated to engage and operate said switch latch.

5. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch operating member, an operating handle therefor, a switch latch releasably connecting said switch operating member and handle, and a handlelocking latch arranged when operated to engage and operate said switch latch completely betere completely releasing said handle.

6. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch operating member, an operating handle therefor, a brealrable connection between said member and handle, and a handle-locking latch ari ranged when operated to impinge upon and break said breakable connection prior to the release of the handle.

7. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch operating member, an operating handle therefor, a breakable connection between said member and handle including a toggle and a latch for said toggle carried by said handle, and a handle-locking latch arranged when operated to engage said latch and collapse said toggle to break said breakable connection before completely releasing said handle.

8. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch operating member,l an operating handle therefor, a breakable connection between said member and handle, a handle-locking latch arranged when operated to break said breakable connection, and means to operate said handlelocking latch.

9. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch operating member, an operating handle therefor, a breakable connection between said member and handle, a handle-locking latch arranged when operated to break said breakable connection, and means to operate said handlelocking latch including a pivoted handle-grip for moving said handle having provision for engaging and operating with said latch. y

10. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch operating member, an actuating handle therefor, a breakable connection between said member and handle; a handle-locking latch pivoted to said handle and arranged when depressed to break said breakable connection, and means carried by said handle arranged to depress said handle-locking latch.

l1. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch operating member, an actuating handle therefor, a breakable connection between said member and handle; a handle-locking latch pivoted to said handle and arranged when depressed to break said breakable connection, and means carried by said handle arranged to depress said handle-locking latch, said latch arranged to break said breakable connection prior to its i complete release of said handle.

12. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch operating member, an actuating handle therefor, a breakable connection between said member and handle, a handle-locking latch 'pivoted to said handle and arranged when depressed to break said breakable connection, and means including a pivoted handle-grip carried by and comprising the operating means for said handle arranged to depress said handle-locking latch when moved in switch opening direction and to urge said latch positively into latching engagement when moved in the opposite direction.

13. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of a switch operating member, an actuating handle therefor, a breakable connection between said member and handle, a handle-locking latch pivoted to said handle and arranged when depressed to break saidV breakable connection, and means including a pivoted handlegrip carried by and comprising the operating means for said handle arranged to depress said handle-locking latch, said latch arranged to break said breakable connection prior to its complete release of said handle.

14. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of an actuating handle, a handle-locking latch, a switchtripping latch disposed beneath said handlelocking latch in position tok be operated thereby, and means to operate said handlelocking latch and also said switch-tripping latch through said handle-locking latch.

15. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of an actuating handle, a handle-locking latch, a switchtr'pping latch disposed beneath said handlelocking latch in position to he operated thereby, and means to operate said handlelccking latch including a handle-grip loosely-carried by and constituting the operating means for said handle and arrangedv for movement t'o operate said handle-locking latch.

le. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of an actuating handle, a handle-locking latch, and means carried by said handle arranged to move said latch in opposite directions in response to the movement of said handle.

17. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of an actuating handle, a handle-locking latch, means constantly urging said latch. toward handlelocking position, and means carried by said handle arranged to move said latch positively in opposite directions in response to opening and closing` movements of said actuating handle.

18. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of an actuating handle, a handle-locking latch, and means carried by said handle arranged to move said latch` positively in opposite directions in response to movements of said handle, and means to bias said latch for movement in one direction.

19. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of an actuating handle, a handle-locking latch pivotally car ed by said handle, and means` associated with said latch by which said actuating handle is moved into and out of switch closed posaid handle and disposed. between and in position to engage both projections.

2l. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination ot an actuating handle, a handle-locking latch pivoted on said handle and having a pair ot opposed cam surfaces, a loose handle-grip carried by said handle and disposed between and in position for alternate engagement with yboth cam surfaces, and means to bias said latch for movement in one direction.

22. Electric switch operating` rmechanism including the combination oi" an actuating handle, a handle-locking latch pivoted on said handle and having a pair or" spaced projections provided with opposed cam sur -faces, a loose handle-grip carried by said handleand disposed between and in position for alternate engagement with the cam sun faces of both projections, and a spring com necting said handle-grip and latch.

23. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination ot an actuating handle, a handle-locking latch, means normally biasing said latch to release the handle and means carried by the handle arranged to hold the latch in locking position against its bias.

24. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of an actuating handle, a handle-locking latch, means normally biasing said latch to release the handle, and means carried by the handle compelling an operative to hold the latch in locking position against its bias.

25. Electric switch operating mechanism including the combination of an actuating handle, a switch-tripping latch, a handlelocking latch disposed in position to trip said switch-tripping latch as it moves to release said handle and biased for movement in one direction, and means carried by said handle compelling an operative to hold said handlelocking latch against its bias.

26. Electric switch operating mechanism comprising an actuating handle, a switchtripping latch carried by said handle, a handle-locking latch carried by .said handle, means carried by said handle to release said handle-locling latch and means carried by said handle-locking latch to release said tripping latch prior to the release of said handle locking latch.

27. Manual switch operating mechanism for an electric switch comprising an actuating handle, a switch-tripping latch carried by s'aid handle, a handle-holding latch carried by said handle, means carried by said handle to urge said handle-holding latch .to

unlatched position, means carried by said handle-holding latch to effect the release ot said tripping latch prior to theunlocling of said handle, .said means consisting ot an integral depending arm carried by said handle-holding latch arranged to depress said tripping latch.

28. Electric switch operating mechanism comprising an actuating handle, a v switch operating member carried by said handle and comprising one member ot a switch operatv ing toggle, an actuating rod pivcted to said operating member to torni a second member of said toggle, a latch carried by said operatn ing handle adapted to engage an extension of said switch operating member to lecl said.

member and said operating handle releasably in operativ-e relation tory switch closing motion, and a second latch carried by said handle to lock said handle releasably in switch clos-ed position. l

29. Electric switch operating mechanism comprising an actuating handle, a latch carried by said handle to lock it in witch closed position, a switch operating member pivoted to said handle, a second latch carried handle to lock said handle releasabl"T in switch closed position, means carried by said second latch to trip said iirst latch, and a handle lever carried by .said actuating handle to eilect the successive tripping oi said latches. i

' 3l. Electric switch operating mechanism comprising an actuating handle arranged to effect the manual opening and closing of the switch, a switch operating member pivotally connected with said handle, holding means for .said member comprising a'latch, a latch carried by said handle to loch the handle re` leasably in switch closed position, .handle lever carried by said handle arranged to ymove said second latch to unlatched position, and means carried by said second latch to trip a latch carried by iis said first latch prior to the unlocking oi' the" handle.

32. Electric switch operating mechanism vcomprising a pivoted, switch actuating handle, a tripping latch carried by said handle, a holding latch for said handle ried by said handle, means carried by said handle to etlect the manual tripping oli said handle holding latch, and means carried by said holding. latch to effect the release oiC said tripping latch prior to the release ot said handle holding latch.

33. Electric switch operating mechanism comprising a pivoted actuating handle, a

handle-holding latch carried by said handle and normally biased to latching position, a switch tripping latch carried by said handle biased to latching position, means carried by said handle to urge said handle holding latch toward and also away from latching position, and a depending arm formed integral with said handle holding latch to release said tripping latch during the first part oi the movement of said handle holding latch to unlatched position.

34. Electric switch operating mechanism comprising a face plate, an actuating handle pivoted to a projection on said plate, a switch operating member pivoted to said handle, a switch actuating rod pivoted to said member, a tripping latch carried by said handle to connect said handle and said member releasably in operative relation, a handle holding latch carried by said handle to lock said handle releasably in switch-closed position, a projection on said plate arranged normally to engage said handle holding latch, a handle-lever carried by said handle arranged to urge said handle locking latch positively into switch open or switch closed position, and a depending integral arm on said handle locking latch `arranged to engage and release said tripping latch during the movement of said handle to switch open-position previous to the release of said handle locking latch.

35. Electric switch operating mechanism comprising a face plate, an actuating handle pivoted to a projection onsaid plate, a tripping latch carried by said handle, a handlelocking latch carried by said handle and arranged to engage a second projection on said face plate, a handle-grip carried by said operating handle adapted toI urge said handlelocking latch positively to latched position, al depending arm formed integral with said handle-locking latch and disposed in operative relation therewith, and a spring member mounted on said second projection adapted to urge said handle-locking latch toward unlatched position.A

36. Electric switch operating mechanism including a pivoted handle for manual opening and closing of the switch, a trip-ping latch carried by said handle, a handle holding latch pivotally mounted on saidhandle and formed with two adjacent cam surfaces, and a loose handlegrip carried by said handle having a rounded end-portion adapted to engage said cam surfaces alternately to urge said latch for and against latching.

87. Electric switch operating mechanism comprising a pivoted actuating handle, a handle holding latch carried by said handle, a tripping latch carried by said handle, a handle lever pivotally connected to said hanlle and arranged to urge said handle-holding latch into latching engagement during switch closing movement and ont et latching engagement during switch opening movement, a spring member arranged constantly to bias said handle holding latch to unlatched position, and means carried by said handle holding latch to canse the release of said tripping latch prior to the release of said handle holding latch.

38. Manual switch operating mechanism comprising a pivoted actuating handle, a tripping latch carried by said handle, a handle holding latch carried by said handle, a handle lever pivotally connected to said handle and arranged to bias said handle holding latch to latched position when pressure is exerted on said handle lever in switch closing movement, means to urge said handle holding latch to unlatched position when the pressure on said handle lever is relieved, and means lcarried by said handle holding latch to trip said tripping latch prior tothe release of said handle holding latch.

39. Operating mechanism for lelectric vswitches including a switch operating member, means to hold said operating member in switch closed position, an operating lever, means to hold said lever in switch Aclosed position, a handle on the lever for operating said lever to and from switch closed position, means pivotally connecting said lever and handle admitting of a small `degree of movement ot said handle in both directions without operating said lever, and means actuated JGSEPH D. WOOD.

"iso 

